A major public rift has erupted between two prominent conservative voices, Candace Owens and Ben Shapiro, escalating into a bitter war of words that highlights a significant split within right-wing media circles. The conflict, which moved from private tensions to a very public spectacle, reached a new peak during and after the AmFest event on December 18.
The AmFest Stage Ignites the Fire
The clash turned decisively public when Ben Shapiro took the stage at the AmFest gathering. During his speech, he directly criticized Candace Owens, urging the audience to reject her claims. In a pointed remark, Shapiro stated that individuals who fail to challenge her viewpoints are acting like "cowards". This moment was not an isolated critique but the spark that lit the fuse for a much broader confrontation.
Soon after, the situation intensified. Following a speech by Steve Bannon at the same event where he labeled Ben Shapiro a "cancer", Candace Owens launched a fierce counterattack on the social media platform X. Her response was scathing and personal. Owens accused Shapiro of jealousy and betrayal, alleging he has a history of trying to take credit for work built by others. She specifically claimed he treated Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk "terribly."
Podcast Allegations and Escalating Accusations
The battle quickly moved beyond social media. On her own podcast, Candace Owens delved deeper into her grievances. She made a series of serious allegations against Ben Shapiro and his role at The Daily Wire. Owens claimed that Shapiro was instrumental in her being fired from the media outlet in March 2024, a move she says was driven by management pressure he applied.
Her accusations did not stop there. Owens suggested that after her departure, when Charlie Kirk offered her a platform at TPUSA, Shapiro attempted to sabotage her future opportunities. She alleged that Shapiro used donor influence to block a subsequent invitation, information she says came directly from Kirk. Furthermore, Owens made inflammatory remarks about Shapiro's focus, stating, "Every time Ben speaks I feel more certain Israel is involved in 9/11... Ben only cares about Israel’s interests."
The Ripple Effect and Conservative Media Fallout
This feud has now drawn in other high-profile figures, signaling its significance as a major fracture point. On December 19, commentator Megyn Kelly added another layer to the drama. Speaking at AmFest, Kelly revealed she is no longer friends with Ben Shapiro. While she clarified that she does not agree with all of Owens's positions, she defended Owens's right to ask questions, effectively taking a side in the broader conflict.
The public nature of these accusations—encompassing charges of professional sabotage, personal betrayal, and ideological disagreement—marks one of the most visible and acrimonious splits in contemporary conservative media. The involvement of key organizations like The Daily Wire and TPUSA, along with figures like Steve Bannon and Megyn Kelly, underscores that this is more than a personal spat; it is a reflection of deeper ideological and strategic battles within the movement. Candace Owens has stated there is no path to reconciliation, using harsh language to emphasize the permanent break, leaving the conservative commentariat deeply divided.
